Jack’s Take: Mackenzie Mgbako Showing Dramatic Improvement During Freshman Season

Freshman Mackenzie Mgbako scored a game-high 24 points in Indiana's 83-78 win over Maryland on Sunday, the third time in the last five games that he's set a new career-high in points. He has looked like a completely new player from November to March.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Mackenzie Mgbako’s importance to Indiana never changed, but his impact certainly has as the regular season winds down.

After a slow start to his freshman season, he’s developed into a vastly improved player from November to March. Mgbako is playing his best basketball of late, scoring a career-high 24 points in Indiana’s 83-78 win at Maryland on Sunday. He has set new career-highs three times in the last five games, a stretch in which he’s shot 38.7% from 3-point range and one that encompasses all three of his 20-plus point games.

On a team that ranks 278th in 3-point percentage (32.2) and 353rd in attempts per game (15.7) out of 363 teams nationally, Mgbako’s inside-out scoring ability at 6-foot-8 is crucial, and it powered Indiana’s comeback at Maryland.

Mgbako had a modest first half, scoring six points on 2-for-7 shooting with two rebounds and two turnovers as Indiana trailed by 10. Indiana’s deficit increased to 16 points just over two minutes into the second half, but Mgbako’s mentality remained simple.

“I was just like, ‘We gotta get the dub,’” he said. “That’s all it was. Just play within the team, and my teammates got me some good shots and I just had to knock ‘em down.”

Indiana's Mackenzie Mgbako (21) scores over Wisconsin's John Blackwell (25) during the second half of the Indiana versus Wisconsin men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 :: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

Indiana’s comeback started at the 17:27 mark, when Mgbako faked a 3-point attempt, then took one dribble and pulled up for a mid-range jumper. Earlier in the season, he often received passes flat-footed and paused for a moment before making his next move. On Sunday, he caught a pass with a full head of steam and drove to the basket. Stopping on a dime, Mgbako spun around and knocked down a fadeaway jumper at the 15:33 mark.

He brought the Hoosiers within four points with 12:37 left – the closest the game had been since the 3:45 mark of the first half – with an old-fashioned 3-point play. On a crafty pass from Trey Galloway, Mgbako used a shot fake to get past his defender and hung in the air to finish the layup through contact.

That basket began a stretch where Mgbako scored 10 consecutive points in just 1:32. Woodson said once Mgbako hit a few shots, Indiana began running plays to get him the ball, and he took advantage. Mgbako drilled 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions, the second representing what he said was the first 4-point play in his entire career. Usually displaying a reserved personality, Mgbako let his emotions out as he flexed and yelled after the foul.

All of a sudden, Indiana’s 16-point deficit had been trimmed to two with 11:08 left. Mgbako said rhythm is the name of the game for him. He’s glad to have Xavier Johnson back, too, who helps Indiana play at a faster pace. With Johnson’s speed, Mgbako said his mentality is to get to the corner and be ready to shoot or drive and make a play for his teammates.

Mgbako’s personal 10-point hot streak was followed shortly by a 15-0 Indiana run from 9:24 to 4:02 that gave the Hoosiers enough cushion to hang onto a five-point victory on the road. Altogether, it was a 33-11 Indiana run in just over 11 minutes. Mgbako finished with a game-high 24 points and went 8-for-15 from the field, 4-for-8 from 3-point range and made all four free throw attemtps.

With an NCAA Tournament appearance out of reach barring a miraculous Big Ten Tournament run, it would have been easy for Indiana (16-13, 8-10) to call it quits this season. But the Hoosiers have now won two in a row and hope to continue that momentum in winnable games against Minnesota and Michigan State to close the regular season.

“It just shows our toughness and our resilience,” Mgbako said. “We’ve been in positions like that before, so it’s just good to be able to climb back and fight for the dub.”

Mgbako (21) during the second half of the Indiana versus Ohio State men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 :: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

Mgbako arrived at Indiana as the No. 8 recruit in the country, with one-and-done plans and high expectations to help replace Indiana’s outgoing NBA Draft picks and veterans. His college career began with major concerns, as he scored four points or fewer in four of his first five games and shot 32% from the field. Perhaps more worrisome, he consistently got lost on defense.

After Indiana’s narrow win over Army, now ranked 338th out of 362 teams by KenPom, I wrote that “Indiana needs Mackenzie Mgbako, but he’s nearly unplayable right now.” That’s because Woodson benched Mgbako in the final 15-plus minutes of Indiana’s first two games because he couldn’t afford the defensive shortcomings, and he wasn’t making shots.

But neither the coach nor the player gave up, a testament to Mgbako’s hard work and the coaching staff’s development plan. For Mgbako, it all started on the defensive end.

“I feel like defense creates offense,” Mgbako said. “And just being able to play solid defense and move my feet creates offense. Then the offense comes from within the team and just getting open shots.”

Mgbako was projected to be the 14th overall pick in an Oct. 10 NBA mock draft, but he’s fallen out of Jonathan Wasserman’s most recent two-round mock draft, putting his future in question. In contention for Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Mgbako is averaging 12.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 40.3% from the field, 33.1% on 3-point attempts and 81.2% at the free throw line.

Despite his significant improvement as a Hoosier, inking a guaranteed contract in the NBA seems unlikely after just one college season. Getting drafted is no guarantee, either. Still, It wouldn’t be surprising to see him declare for the draft and receive NBA feedback, as players have the option to withdraw from the draft and return to college.

Another year of college could boost his draft stock and increase his chances of earning a guaranteed contract as a rookie. It all depends on whether he sees college as a better place to continue his development, versus playing in the G-League or signing a two-way contract.

If the strides he’s taken as a freshman are any indication, getting Mgbako back for his sophomore season would give Indiana a talented player to build around.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• INDIANA GAME STORY: Indiana went from 16 down to 11 up in the blink of an eye in the second half, pulling off a thrilling 83-78 victory over Maryland on Sunday. Mackenzie Mgbako had a career-high 24 points, and his four three-pointers played a big part in the victory. CLICK HERE
• WHAT WOODSON SAID: Indiana coach Mike Woodson met with the media after the Hoosiers' thrilling 83-78 victory over Maryland in College Park, Md. Indiana trailed by 16 points early in the second half before rallying. Here is the full video and transcript from his postgame press conference. CLICK HERE